Air quality

Page Content

​​​​​Air pollution results from the introduction of a range of substances into the atmosphere from a wide variety of sources. It can cause both short term and long term effects on health, but also on the wider environment. The air quality in Wakefield is generally better now than it has been at any time since the 1960's.

These improvements have been achieved through the introduction of legislation enforcing tighter controls on emissions of pollutants from key sources, notably industry, domestic combustion and transport. However, despite the improvements made, air pollution is still recognised as a risk to health, and many people are concerned about pollution in the air that they breathe.

Local authorities have duties to review and assess the local air quality against national pollutant health based objectives. Areas that exceed these objectives are required to be designated as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). To date ten AQMAs have been declared in the Wakefield district:

An Air Quality Management Area gives that area special status for example, consideration must be given to air quality when new developments are to take place which might create more traffic or introduce new receptors in an AQMA. We have produced an
Air Quality and Emissions Technical Planning Guidance and Construction Dust Management Guidance to be used by developers as part of the planning application process and help improve air quality.

We produced an
Air Quality Action Plan which set out the steps being taken locally and regionally to improve air quality. This Plan is due to be reviewed and re-issued in 2016.

To find out more about air quality and the air pollution forecast for today visit the
DEFRA web-site.

What can you do to improve air quality?

Reducing emissions to the air from our everyday activities will help improve local air quality. Everyone can do their bit to reduce air pollution:

Taking public transport or car sharing particularly during peak travel times reduces the number vehicles on the road and reduces emissions.

Walking or cycling on short journeys reduces the traffic and in turn reduces emissions.

When buying a new car or vehicle buy the cleanest you can. Consider buying an electric or hybrid powered vehicle. If buying a petrol or diesel powered car, look for the 'Euro standard' ranging from 'Euro 1' (old) to 'Euro 5' (latest), newer cars with higher Euro standards tend to have lower emissions